North Bimini

Alice Town and the King's Highway

Alice Town is the heart of North Bimini, a collection of shops, restaurants, and bars strung along a road known as the King's Highway. Named in honour of Princess Alice, daughter of Queen Victoria, the settlement was founded in 1848 and has served as a fishing hub, rum-running port during Prohibition, and gateway to the Bahamas ever since.

A parallel route called Queen's Highway runs nearly the full length of the island. Walking these lanes reveals colorful clapboard buildings, the historic Bimini Big Game Club, and waterfront watering holes where fishermen have swapped tales for nearly a century.

Big Game Fishing Capital

Bimini earned its title as the "Big Game Fishing Capital of the World" in the 1930s when anglers like Zane Grey and Ernest Hemingway discovered the blue marlin, bluefin tuna, and wahoo that patrol the Gulf Stream just offshore. Hemingway lived here from 1935 to 1937, fishing and writing "To Have and Have Not" while staying at the Compleat Angler Hotel.

The Bimini Big Game Club, opened in 1936, continues to host tournaments that draw sport fishermen from around the globe. The deep water lies just a mile offshore, meaning anglers can reach prime fishing grounds within minutes of leaving the marina.

Radio Beach and Island Beaches

Radio Beach is North Bimini's most accessible stretch of sand, an easy walk north from Alice Town where locals and visitors gather for swimming, snorkeling, and sunset drinks. Named for a historic radio station that once broadcast from this shore, the beach features calm, clear water protected by offshore reefs and vendors offering chairs and refreshments.

The shallow reef sections to the north provide excellent snorkeling among parrotfish, snappers, and angelfish. For quieter stretches, walk beyond the main beach bar area to find uncrowded sand along the western shore.

Bimini Road and Local Legends

Just offshore in 18 feet of water lies Bimini Road, a half-mile J-shaped formation of large rectangular limestone blocks that has sparked speculation about connections to Atlantis since its discovery in 1968. Scientists have determined the blocks are natural beachrock formations, but the site remains a compelling snorkel and dive destination accessible to beginners.

Beyond the underwater mysteries, North Bimini's lore includes tales of the Fountain of Youth, supposedly visited by Ponce de Leon in 1513, and the rum-running operations that made the island a smuggler's haven during American Prohibition.

Getting there

North Bimini is reached by ferry from South Bimini Airport, where flights arrive from Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and Nassau. The Balearia high-speed ferry also connects Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades directly to Resorts World Bimini. By private yacht, the crossing from South Florida takes three to four hours depending on conditions, with multiple marinas offering slips and fuel on the island's eastern shore.

Frequently asked questions

How far is North Bimini from Florida?

North Bimini lies approximately 50 miles (80 km) east of Miami, making it the closest Bahamian island to the U.S. mainland. The crossing by boat takes three to four hours, while flights from Fort Lauderdale or Miami reach South Bimini Airport in under 30 minutes.

What is North Bimini famous for?

North Bimini is famous for world-class big game fishing, its connection to Ernest Hemingway who lived and wrote here in the 1930s, the mysterious Bimini Road underwater formation, and its role as a rum-running hub during Prohibition.

Can you snorkel the Bimini Road?

Yes, Bimini Road lies in shallow water (about 18 feet deep) just offshore from North Bimini and is accessible to snorkelers as well as divers. Local operators offer guided trips to the site.